Lemont Cops and Fire Team Up with Little Mountain Theatre for Special Needs Open House

Lemont police played the role of host Wednesday, April 9, as they welcomed special needs students from Lemont-Bromberek District 113A into the station for an open house event. 

A group of 25 students aged kindergarten through fifth grade stopped into the department for a night of education, tours and demonstrations. The officers detailed the differences between local and county police, and showed them the process of fingerprinting and some crime scene investigation. 

"I think it's just one more way we in the police department can try to reach out to children," said Lemont Police Chief Kevin Shaughnessy. 

Organizer Paulette Garcia worked with the Lemont Fire District and Heather Hutchison, Artistic Director for Little Mountain Community Theatre nonprofit to plan the evening.

Firefighters gave the students tips on fire safety, and Hutchison led children through an interactive theatre game. 

"They were great," Shaughnessy said. "They had each kid mesmerized."

The performance served as a sneak peek at LMCT's special needs camps, coming this summer. The group will provide a variety of theatre workshops for students of all ages and abilities as well as a main stage production of The Wizard of Oz this summer at the Lemont High School Performing Arts Center. Get more info here.  

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